Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3045, James Douglass, Conn.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Conn.
Douglas, James Elizabeth
P. 3045
CONTENTS.

Know all men by these presents that I George A Douglas of Sterling in the county of Windham in the state of Connecticut, Administrator on the estate of Elizabeth Douglas late of said Sterling deceased, do hereby constitute & appoint Myrande Ray of the City of Washington D.C. my true & lawful Attorney for me & in my stead to prosecute the claim for arrears of pension due the said Elizabeth Douglas at the time of her death as the widow of James Douglas late of said Sterling deceased, under the act of Congress of July 7 th 1838 for the benefit of her surviving children. And I do authorize him for this purpose to examine all claims which the said Elizabeth made in her life time for said pension & all documentary evidence in the Department of the Interior or any other Department in said City of Washington and to file any other evidence of said claim & all arguments in favor thereof and generally to do all acts that I might do in said capacity as Administrator Hereby ratifying & confirming whatever my said Attorney shall lawfully do in the premises Witness my hand & seal this 19 th day of August A.D. 1857. W th Shepard for } George A Douglass witness George Tillinghast }

State of Connecticut Windham County ss. Sterling August 19 th A.D. 1857 Personally appeared George A. Douglas signer and sealer of the within instrument and acknowledged the same to be his free act and deed before me.
George Tillinghast — Justice of the Peace
State of Connecticut } ss. Sterling Probate District } Windham County }
This certifies that George Tillinghast is a Justice of the Peace within and for the County of Windham duly qualified and that the above signature of his is genuine In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Seal of the Court of Probate within and for the District of Sterling this 20 th day of August A.D. 1857
Attest Charles S. Asafo
Clerk of the Court of Probate for the District of Sterling
[Faint, mirrored bleed-through text from the reverse side of the page, mostly illegible.]

6657. X
Elizabeth Douglass
born
Act 7 July 38
m 82 d 102
3045

66 57 Elizabeth Douglass application.
Dear Pension
James Douglass Jr. Feb 16 - Feb 77 - ver 1st Regt Col Darrow
James Douglass (mrs) 57 - war transp Georgia Reg. Aug. 77 - must present D. & V. - deserted march 78 for Chancell. Mattock
Am J. S. Mockway H. R.

Declaration
In order to obtain the benefit of the first section of the act of Congress of the 7 th July 1838.
State of Connecticut Windham County } ss
On this 24 th day of January 1840. personally appeared before the Probate Court for the District of Plainfield in said County and State Elizabeth Douglass a resident of the town of Plainfield in said County and State. aged 77 years. who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed July 7 th 1838. That she is the widow of James Douglass who was a private in the war of the Revolution in the Connecticut line of the Continental Army. and that he served for a period of more than three years. as may be seen by the Certificate of the Comptroller of the State of Connecticut herunto annexed marked (A) She further declares that she was married to the said James Douglass after the expiration of the last period of his said service and before the first day of January 1794. to wit on the 7 th day of October 1782. as may be seen by the Town Clerks Certificate herunto annexed marked (B) that her Husband the aforesaid James Douglass died on the 7 th day of September 1817. as may be seen by the Affidavit of Chester Douglass herunto annexed marked (C) and

that she has remained unmarried and a widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the affida- vits of Ephraim & Abigail Welch herein to annexed marked (D) & (E)
In presence of J. B. Johnson Joseph Eaton
for Elizabeth [mark] Douglass
Sworn to and subscribed, on the day and year aforesaid before the Probate Court for the District of Plainfield in the County of Windham in the State of Connecticut.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this 24 th day of January A. D. 1840.
Attest John H. Hurd Clerk of said Court for the District of Plainfield

(B. 1)
State of Connecticut } Windham County } ss Plainfield January 24 th 1840.
James Douglass and Elizabeth his wife was married October the seventh fourth Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred eighty two. I John Dunlop certify that the above is a true copy of the record of said town of Plainfield, with the except- ion of the date, which is expressed on the record in full legible figures as follows: "October 7 th A.D. 1782."
I John Dunlop above named, depose and say, that I hold the office of Town Clerk in the County town and State aforesaid, and that the above is a true extract from the records of said town, with the exception above named, as certified by me.
John Dunlop Town Clerk
State of Connecticut } Windham County } ss Plainfield January 24 th 1840.
Personally appeared John Dunlop Esq. signed of the above affidavit, who is personally known to the subscriber as a witness whose testimony is entitled to full credit, and made solemn oath to the truth of the same, before me.
Francis W. Johnson Justice of Peace

(6)
I, Chester Douglass of Mansfield in the County of Windham in the State of Connecticut age 40 years do testify and say that my Father Samuel Douglass (the person named in a declaration of my Mother Elizabeth Douglass for a pension) died on the 7 th day of September 1817. and that I attended his funeral. and that my said Mother Elizabeth Douglass has ever since remained a widow.
Chester Douglass
State of Connecticut } Mansfield January 27 th 1840 Windham County }
Personally appeared Chester Douglass signor of the above affidavit. who is personally known to the subscriber as a witness whose testimony is entitled to credit and made solemn oath to the truth of the same. before me, Francis W. Johnson Justice of Peace

(2) I Ephraim Pease of Plainfield in the county of Windham in the state of Connecticut age 51 years do testify and say that I married Deborah the daughter of James and Elizabeth Douglas, that the said James Douglas deceased some twenty years since, and that ever since the death of the said James Douglas, the said Elizabeth has lived a portion of the time in my family and the residue in the immediate neighborhood, and that she has not married, but has ever since remained a widow.
Ephraim Pease
State of Connecticut Windham County, 3 rd Plainfield January 24 th 1840.
Personally appeared Ephraim Pease signer of the above affidavit, who is personally known to the subscriber as a witness, whose testimony is entitled to full credit, and made solemn oath to the truth of the same. Before me,
Francis B. Johnson Justice of Peace

(8.)
I Rebekah Root of Mansfield in the County of Windham in the State of Connecticut aged 56 years, do testify and say, that my Mother Elizabeth Douglass has remained single and unmarried, and as widow ever since the death of my Father James Douglass, which took place some time in September 1817. Rebekah Root
State of Connecticut } Windham County } P. Mansfield January 24 th 1840.
Personally appeared Rebekah Root signor of the above affidavit, who is personally known to the subscriber as a witness whose testimony is entitled to credit, and made solemn oath to the truth of the same before me.
Francis B. Johnson Justice of Peace
Canterbury Ct. February 12. 1840. I certify that Francis B. Johnson Esq d whose signature is affixed to the foregoing Affidavit, is a Justice of the Peace for the County of Windham, in the State of Connecticut, duly appointed and qualified
Andrew T. Judson Judge of the U. S. for the District of Connecticut.

information as contained in his (or his widow's) application for pension on file in this Bureau. James Douglass Reg. 3045-
   DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT. LENGTH OF SERVICE. RANK. OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED. STATE.   CAPTAIN. COLONEL.     Feb 11 1777 Jan 1 1780 Pvt. Josiah Starr Conn.   Jan 1 1780 Jan 1 1781 Josiah Starr  
The claim was not allowed as claimant failed to prove that the James Douglass who served as alleged, was her husband.
Battles engaged in, _____
Residence of soldier at enlistment, _____
Date of application for pension, Jan 24 1840
Residence at date of application, Plainfield Windham Co. Conn.
Age at date of application, she was 77 years old
Remarks: Soldier was the son of Samuel Douglass of Sterling Conn. He married at Plainfield Conn. Oct. 7. 1782 Elizabeth ---- He died Sept. 7. 1817, date of birth not stated. In 1840 children were Chester 40 yrs old, Rebekah 56 yrs old wife of Ephraim Leech aged 57 1/2 years. George A. Douglass in 1857, claimed to be administrator, relationship not stated.
Very respectfully,

✓ J. Douglas Col. Sherman lay Mallock May 8 W. transp Geo Rep Aug 77 near present Aug 77 - desert March 7 78
✓ J. Douglas Jr. Col. Samak Col. Harkness Feb 16. 77 W. transp
J. Douglas Samak Start Aug 78 + Jan 80

Ad Douglas a 1817 Elizabeth m 1782
Byf.
Mania in Placerville Coquitlam.
Col. Starr - Feb 11. 1777 Jan 1. 1780 same. Jan 1. 1780 Jan 1. 1781
## The claimant husband was from Sterling-land @ and then - Placerville , is a part of the old town of Sterling -

Pat Douglass
Elizabeth Douglass
N. Island
Con — 201 36 or 38
Suspended
for C.C. — to — Alex Ray 2 May / 57
This Her claim was never allowed — claimant failed to prove that the James Douglass who served as alleged was her husband
* 6657. Con See let. to Hon. J. H. Brockway, Feb'y 21, 1840. to F. B. Johnson up. 27th 1840 — to same let. 22 to same 21 Nov 40. Rejected Hon C. Blackman Asst Secy of War Alex Ray Sep 28 1857

COPY.
Pension Office,
November 21, 1840.
Sir:-
Your letter of the 13th instant , upon the subject of the claim of Mrs. Eliz th Douglass, widow of James Douglass dec d has been rec d and in reply I have to state, that, the only question in this case, has been as you observe, the identity of her late husband. But the information contained in your letter has removed all doubt upon that subject. There are two persons of the same name upon the rolls of the Conn. line; one of whom was styled James Douglass Junior in an original payroll of Captain Christopher Darrow in the first Conn Regt. commanded by Col. Huntington, dated Sept 1777 at Valley Forge, a soldier for the war.
This man enlisted in the February before, and his name is traced upon our rolls of the same company & regt. up to June 1780.
From the certificate of the Comptroller, which accompanies the widow's papers it appears that the same person was paid to Jan. 1, 1781.
The other James Douglass enlisted into Captain Mattocks Company May 1778 in the fourth regt. commanded by Col. Chandler.
In Aug. of that year he was transferred to the Georgia Regt. and deserted in March 1778.
It is now stated by you that the christian name of the widow's late husband's father, was Samuel; Hence James Douglass

Junior was not her husband.
It is true as you state that in the Comptrollers certificate the word Junior is not appended to the name. The same omission occurs in every instance where the name of James Douglass of Darrow's Co. in the 1 st Conn Reg t . is found, except in the original roll before mentioned. He is there called James Douglass Junior. Whether the James Douglass who enlisted in Col. Chandlers Reg t . and subsequently deserted as I have above stated was the husband of Mrs. Elizabeth Douglass or not is of no consequence, as no claim can be sustained for the service of a deserter. Mrs. Douglass' claim is therefore rejected
F.B.Johnson Esq,
Plainfield, Conn.

BENJAMIN L. DENNIS, ATTORNEY AND COUNSELLOR AT LAW, 75 ARCADE.
PROVIDENCE, R. I.
June 29/09.
Hon. Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:-
A soldier of the Revolutionary War by the name of James Douglas who lived in the town of Sterling Connecticut and from which place he enlisted and served about seven years and was about 16 yrs. of age when he enlisted, made during his lifetime an application for pension or its equivalent due to him; after his death his son George Alexander Douglas who at the time resided in Sterling and afterwards Voluntown Conn. made application and George's son would now like to know if the matter was ever been decided as he has no recollection of his father's saying that it had been granted. George Alexander Douglas served in War of 1812. Any information relative to the same will greatly oblige my client; hope you will be able from the meager information to find the original petition with other papers.
Yours sincerely Benj. L. Dennis

Acts of July 14, 1862, and March 3, 1873.
REJECTED
3045.
1906 March 3. History to Mrs. Mary M. Bernis M.A.H. 1909 July 8 Hist. to Benjamin L. Dennis
P. O. _____
Elizabeth Douglass
Service: widow of James Douglass
Enlisted: _____, 18 .
Discharged: _____, 18 .
Application filed: _____, 18 .
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized. _____ Contract.
_____ Cert. of Dis. Searched for _____, 18 .
2061

Comptroller's Office
Hartford Jan'y 16 1840
I certify that on application for service of James Prugh I have examined the records of Settlements made with the Connecticut Line of the Continental Army and find his name in a settlement with the 8th Connecticut Regiment Josiah Starr Esq. Col. before Jan'y 1780 where he is entered separate July 11 1777 Time of settlement Jan'y 1780 Having served Two Years Two months Twenty days - (again from Regiment - as private Commenced service Jan'y 1780 Time of settlement Jan'y 1781 having served One Year
  from July 11 1777. to Jan'y 1780  2.10.20    from Jan'y 1780 to Jan'y 1781  1.0.0     4.10.20  
Henry Kelborn Clerk H
(ct)

Nov 16. 1870
Washington D.C. Nov 14
Mr. [unclear] Committee
Sir
Hon. James L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D. C. —

Phila Connecticut Nov. 13 th 1840.
Sir
In the case of Elizabeth Douglass for a pension, I have answered the interrogatories of the pension department in such manner as my means of knowledge enabled me to.
The only objection to the granting a pension which the Department make to the granting a pension to Elizabeth Douglass, is, that it does not appear who her husband's name was James Douglass or James Douglass Jr. You will see by reference to the certificate of the Comptroller of this State that he was called James Douglass and not James Douglass Jr.
In addition to this I have ascertained the fact, that James Douglass the late husband of the applicant, was the son of Samuel Douglass. That there was one other James Douglass in Connecticut son of William Douglass, and another James Douglass son of John Douglass. From all of which it is quite evident that Elizabeth Douglass' husband's name was James Douglass and not James Douglass Jr. I hope I may receive soon a certificate of pension for the old lady, as I know it to be a meritorious claim.
Very Respectfully Yours Cpt-Secy.
Francis B. Johnson
Hon. James L. Edwards,
Commissioner of Pensions,

Ed. Douglass
May 14. 1824 New Bedford May 9 C. B.
Sir
Hon. James L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.

Plainfield Ct. May 9 th 1840
Sir Since I wrote you in answer to your favor of the 27 th ultimo. I have learned that James Douglass the late husband of the applicant (Elisabetta Douglass) was the son of Samuel Douglass who lived and died in Sterling in Windham County, and that James was there born and lived until his death. I further learn that there was a James Douglass in Voluntown in Litchfield County.
I further state from verbal history that Sterling was originally a part of Voluntown, that was afterwards set off and incorporated into a town by that name. I have not seen Elisabetta Douglass since I last wrote you. I went to the house where she ordinarily resides, but she had left on a visit to her friends in the town of Killingly in this State.
When I hear from you, I shall know what is most needful in her case as well as that of Mrs. Coagty.
I have the honor to be Sir very Respectfully Yours O. S. Smith
Francis B. Johnson
Dear James L. Edwards,

Col E S Edwards
Comd Pioneers Washington

Washington Jany 29 th 1849
Dear Sir
Elizabeth Douglass was an applicant from Conn under the Law of 1836. . . . Please inform me what Service is admitted and whether the marriage is admitted, and what the objection is to granting her a pension, by answering the above and directing it to me you will oblige your old friend Mr Jay
Col E S Edwards Clerk of Pensions
Yours Very Truly Estlin B. Root

Col Chandler - Malheur Co J. Douglas May 8 77 tramp Geogea Rd Aug 77 - desat War - Mar 78
J. Douglas for Clint Capt Danan (2 Huntly Rd 1st Rd
Feb 16 War Sep 77 Walla Walla Jan 78
Apr 79 May 80 Jan 80
0 5 8 9
- 58777
Chalk for Lee

Weymouth Febry 8 th 1829
Dear Sir
Mr Joy requests me to make the following enquiry. "Elizabeth Douglass an applicant for a pension from Conn probably under the law of 1836. no reply having been received by her to her declaration (her agent having died) Will you please furnish your objection to granting her a pension and state how much service is admitted & whether the marriage is admitted"
Col E. L. Edmonds - Comm of Pensions
Yrs E Blackman

Washington Aug 28/57
Geo. C. Whiting Esq Comr of Pensions, Sir,
Upon a letter from the Son of the late Elizabeth Douglass an applicant for a pension from Connecticut, under act 1838: I was allowed by your chief Clerk to make an examination of the papers filed in her case, and the letter from your office in reply to the proofs presented in support of the claim.
The objection to the allowance as I understand was, the identity of applicant's husband as the soldier who performed the alleged service. There seems to have been, indeed you state there were three James Douglass's in the Connecticut line, and you designate one as he who was of Col. Huntington 1st Conn. Regiment enlisted Sept 77. for the war.
The second , James Douglass is stated to have enlisted in Col. Sherman's 4th regt May 8. 1777, was transferred to the Georgia regt. August 17, and deserted in March 78. He too is represented to have been a war soldier.
And the third James Douglass enlisted in Col. J. Starrs Conn. regt the 11 Feb 1777 and served until 1 Jan 1781 he was not a war's man.
The applicant - in her declaration swears, she was married in Oct. 1782 after the termination of her husband's service. In your letter to the Hon. J. B. Brockway of Feb 28/40 you admit - that the first named James Douglass P. and J. Douglass were both war soldiers. While in your letter to F. B. Johnston Esq of Nov 21/40. the identity is confounded, and the claim rejected on the ground that her husband deserted, while it is shown that he who deserted was a war's man. In the absence of proof to establish a direct fact, the next best conclusion is to be drawn, by reasoning from recards exhibited.
First then, I understand you properly allow that the James Douglass or he who enlisted in Col. Huntingtons 1st regt. for the war. was not applicant's husband.

And the question in which of the two cases, was applicant's husband must be determined by reasoning.
The same Douglas who entered the Continental Service May 8. 1777 in the 4th Penn't Rgt. transferred Aug 77 to a Georgia Rgt. and deserted in May 1778. is admitted was a War Soldier . And here the question arises, as this War Man did desert from the army; is it to be supposed that under the penalty of such a desertion, he would have returned to his own home, and married and resided there before the period of his enlistment had terminated, I think not, because the legislation of the army in regard to deser- -ted War Soldiers forbade such a conclusion. And without any stained con- -clusion it seems clear to my mind applicant's husband was neither of the War Soldiers. On the other hand it is very clear he must have been the soldier for whose service the claim is made, and who enlisted in Col. Starnes Rgt. Feb 11/77 and served therein for more than two years. He was a resident of Stating or Adams -town they are synonymous being one and the same place. Where James Douglas lived married and died, having married in 1780. after his service terminated is a still further proof that he was not a War Soldier.
In view of all this, I am of the opinion your conclusion as expressed in your letter of Nov 21/40 is not sustained by proof; and the reasoning are not conclusive. And, therefore, I most respectfully request an re-examination of the claim, in the hope it may receive your favorable consideration.
Please find enclosed a power of attorney from the son and daughters of the late Elizabeth Douglas.
I remain your respectfully Your On Sir Alex Ray

Sept 23. 1840 Hampton Co State 21 Jan 21
Hon. James L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D. C.

Plainfield Ct. Sept. 21 st 1840.
Sir I have been unreservedly expressing to him from the Pension Office no objection to the pension application of Elizabeth Douglas , Her claim being so well established. I had supposed that the reception of a certificate for her was an event which would beyond a doubt take place.
The old lady is very unconscious & in need of circumstances. More is the time that the pension which (in my opinion) is legally and justly due to her, will be granted in the last days, to procure for her these things which will add to her comfort. I can but hope the certificate will be forwarded without delay.
Yours Obt. Servt— J. B. Johnson
Hon. J. S. Eminent

1820 Apr 24
Recd Apr 24 1820
Sir
Hon. James L. Edwards Commissioner of Pensions Washington City D.C.
Mr. Douglas

Conneaut - Pennsylvania April 20 th 1840.
Hon. J. S. Burrows
Dear Sir
The Hon. Mr. Brackman, in February last forwarded me a copy of your letter to him in relation to the pension application of Mrs. Elisabeth Douglass which was as follows. "The Department Pension Office Feb 21. 1840.
Sir In the case of Mrs. Elisabeth Douglass widow of James Douglass deceased under the act of 7 July 1838, it becomes important to show whether her late husband was the John Douglass Jr who enlisted for the war on 16 th April 1777 for the war under Capt. Durnon of Col. Huntington's regiment or the John Douglass who enlisted on 8 th May 1777 for the war under Capt. Mottlock of Col. Chambers regiment. Her statement is that she was married in October 1782, after the termination of her late husband's service and you will perceive that both of the soldiers bearing that name were near men." I have the honor to be very respectfully Yours Affec ly J. S. Burrows.
Hon. J. H. Brackman House of Reps.
Now My Elizabeth Douglass husband's name was James Douglass, as to John Douglass or John Douglass Jr I know nothing about them or their services, and cannot say any of what that matter has to do with James Douglass (the late husband of the applicant Elisabeth Douglass) I did suppose the service of James Douglass, the time of his death, his marriage with the applicant, and that she is the widow of said James Douglass deceased was proved, if human testimony was adequate to the proof of a

given set of facts,
It is a long time since the papers were forwarded to the Department, so long that the applicant has almost despaired of ever receiving her pension certificate.
On the receipt of Mr Brackenbury's letter of Feb 24 th containing the foregoing copy of your letter to him, I immediately wrote him giving an explanation, similar to the above and foregoing, which was all the case admitted of or seemed to require. I waited from Feb to the first of this Month and heard nothing from Mr Brackenbury or from the Department, and consequently the first part of this Month, I wrote the former, and on Saturday last received his letter of the 14 th Inst. informing me, that the Commission had the application of Mrs Douglas still under consideration, but had not communicated to him the result, and suggested to me the propriety of making a direct application to you, which I now do with the hope that some definite action of the Department may be had, and that I may be informed of the result.
I have the honor to be Sir Very Respectfully Your Obedt Servt
Francis B. Johnson

BOUNTY LAND WARRANT RECORD CARD*
NAME Douglass, James GRADE Private LINE New York
WARRANT NUMBER 7060 ACREAGE 100 ISSUED Aug. 31, 1790 To Samuel Smith, assignee
*The information concerning the issuance of warrants carded on this form is found in volumes 2 to 4 of "Land Warrants Issued Prior to 1800" which are registers of bounty land warrants issued to non-commissioned officers and privates under congressional resolutions of September 16, 1776, and subsequent dates. Other records relative to the applications for warrants appear to have been destroyed in the War Department fire of November 9, 1800. Information concerning warrants surrendered to the Federal Government is to be found in General Land Office records in The National Archives.